The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-01-19
soMErsssNs. AmoUr LrcoR ace.
Where ID Crews as "a Weed--FE0Vv stick
Lic0rice Is Made--Qualkty.

Nnere 10 Crews as u Wee0-EhONv Stick
Licorice Is Made--Quality.
Licorice was used by the ancient Greeks
and Romans, and its name, which is derived
from the Greek, signifies a sweet root. The
plant grows wild in most of the countries
that border ON the Mediterranean Sea. In
northern Africa it is very common, and is
regarded by farmers and gardeners as n
weed. 1t is very diiheult 10 exterminate it
when it is once INTRODUCED on land. II
thrives in hot countries best ON land that
is quite moist and is generally found on the
rich bottom land in the rivers and streams.
1t seems likely that the Saracens cultivated
It in southern Spain. The only part of the
plant that is valuable is the root which in
suitable soil will grow to the length OF sir
or eight feet. These roots, properly cleaned,
'nt in pieces about foot long and tied up
bundles, may be seen in any drug store.
Stick licorice is made by crushing nnd
'sjnding the root to pulp, which is boiled
water over an open fire, and the decoc-
.ion separated from the solid residue of the
root, is eyaporated in copper pans till suf-
licient degree OF concentration ia attained,
after which, on cooling, il is rolled into the
form of sticks or other shapes for the mar
ket. The preparation of the juice is n wide.
lyextended industry along the Mediterranean
coasts, but the quality best appreciated in
the united kingdom is made in Calabria, aud
sold under the name of solazzi aud csT1gliano
juice. The lieorice grown in Yorkshire,
England, Ia made into q CONNECTION called
pontefract cake.
Licoriee In various forms is popular
tmsdy for coughs, and il is largely used by
children as q sweetmeat. II enters into the
composition OF many cough lozenges and
other demulcent preparations, and in the
form of aromatic syrups and elixirs 1t has
remarkable effect IN masking the tsste Of
nauseous medicines, property peculiar to
glycyrrhizin. A considerable quantity .
licorice paste is used In the preparation Of
tobacco for chewing. Commercial lieorice
paste 10 frequently much aduiteretsd and
often contains distinct traces OF copper, APP
parentiy derived from the vessels Ia which
the juice Is lnspisshted. II Il often adulter.
ated with gum arabic, -four and starch. Lie.
orice Is also used TO considerable extent 10
the manufacture Of porter and some other
malt liquors. Probably the largest proper
ton of the licorice brought to this country
Is used in the manufacture Of plug" to
bacco.
The quality of roo; produced in the diff
ferent countries is as follows Asiatic 'fur.
key, decidedly bitter; Greece, bitter. bat
not SO bitter rs Asiatic Turkey; Sicily
sweet, but less so than Spanish Spain, rio.
and sweet Italy, richest and sweetest d
all. The difference in the quality Of the
root is presumed TO BE- due to the peculiari-
ties Of the soil and climate. A large part Of
the roots produced In Spain and Portugal is
sold to the French and English who manu-
facture II into cakes. The plant is not Gull
tiyated in these countries. It grows wild in
favorable localities and attains height OF
from three TO five feet. The stalks are
sometimes used for fuel but no other use IL
made Of them. The ground occupied by
Che plants is dug over every fourth or fifth
year. Ordinarily enough remains in The
soil to insure tue production Of new stock
Of plants. England appears TO be almost
the only country in the world IN which tia
plant Is cultivated. II was pshstly brought
to this country by the month, who used il
for medicine.